Kashmir, June 19, 2026- In a significant step towards promoting formal employment and strengthening social security coverage across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday disbursed incentives worth around Rs 2,400 crore to more than 15 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY). The nationwide initiative aims to empower first-time employees, incentivize employers to generate new jobs, and accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.
As part of the nationwide outreach programme, events were organized simultaneously at nearly 200 locations across the country. The main function was held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi and attended by Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje, senior government officials, representatives of industries, employers, employees, and beneficiaries.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the immense potential of India’s youth and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people entering the workforce.
The Prime Minister noted that India’s youth are earning global recognition for their talent, innovation, and capabilities. He said the world increasingly acknowledges the strength of India’s young workforce and highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure that every young person receives an opportunity to transform their potential into success.
Describing the scheme as much more than an employment initiative, the Prime Minister said, “Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is about empowering first-time employees and building a bridge between youth and industry.” He added that the programme has been designed to strengthen the aspirations of young individuals entering their first jobs while simultaneously creating a robust link between industry and the workforce.
The Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the beneficiaries and reiterated his faith in the country’s youth, expressing confidence that they would play a pivotal role in shaping India’s future.
Major Benefits for Jammu and Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Labour and Employment organized special events at the Convention Centre Jammu and the Bari Brahmana Industrial Association in Samba as part of the national programme.
The Union Territory emerged as a significant beneficiary of the scheme, with 1,522 employees receiving incentives amounting to Rs 74 lakh, while incentives worth approximately Rs 25.42 crore were directly transferred into the bank accounts of 304 employers. The direct benefit transfer is expected to encourage industries and establishments to create more employment opportunities while strengthening the formal employment ecosystem in the Union Territory.
The programme marked another milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving employment landscape and reflected the growing integration of local workers and industries into the national framework of social security and formal employment.
LG Manoj Sinha Hails PM’s Vision
Participating in the event through virtual mode, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a new impetus to job creation, enhancing employability, and expanding social security across the formal sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor described the occasion as a celebration of the Union Territory’s transformation and progress.
“This historic occasion is not merely a programme for distributing financial benefits under a government scheme. It is a celebration of Jammu and Kashmir’s transformative journey. It is a celebration of the dreams, aspirations, and opportunities that are giving a new direction to the lives of our youth,” he said.
Highlighting the remarkable changes witnessed in the employment sector after 2019, the Lieutenant Governor pointed out that prior to August 2019, workers in Jammu and Kashmir did not enjoy comprehensive social security protections available elsewhere in the country.
He noted that following the implementation of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 in Jammu and Kashmir in November 2019, lakhs of workers from the region were integrated into the national social security framework for the first time.
According to the Lieutenant Governor, the PM-VBRY represents a historic effort by the Government of India to strengthen both job creation and social security.
“Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuous efforts have been made to strengthen job creation and social security. Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana stands as a historic example in this endeavour,” he remarked.
Vision of Viksit Bharat
LG Sinha said the scheme reflects the broader vision of building a developed India where formal employment becomes the norm and every citizen has access to social security.
“The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana embodies the resolve to build a Viksit Bharat. It envisions an India where formal employment becomes the norm, social security reaches every citizen, and every young person gets the opportunity to realize their dreams,” he stated.
Explaining the structure of the scheme, he said it operates on two key pillars. The first pillar is dedicated to first-time employees entering the formal workforce and provides direct financial incentives to encourage them to remain in the organized sector. The second pillar focuses on employers and industries that create additional jobs and expand employment opportunities.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that when industries grow, employment opportunities increase and society prospers. He noted that more than 3.5 crore employment opportunities across India are expected to be incentivized over the next two years under the scheme.
“This is a sign of the positive transformation occurring in the lives of millions of families across India,” he said.
J&K Registers Impressive Progress
Highlighting the achievements of Jammu and Kashmir under the scheme, the Lieutenant Governor said the Union Territory has utilized the opportunity exceptionally well.
According to official figures, more than 3,300 establishments across Jammu and Kashmir have registered under PM-VBRY. These establishments have enabled over 22,500 young people to enter the formal employment system for the first time.
Additionally, more than 31,000 job opportunities have qualified for incentives under the scheme, resulting in a direct positive impact on over 53,000 citizens.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the figures reflect the growing confidence among employers and the increasing participation of youth in the formal economy.
He also commended the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for implementing significant reforms aligned with the national objectives of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
Furthermore, he lauded employers participating in the programme for becoming active partners in nation-building and urged more enterprises in Jammu and Kashmir to register under the scheme and avail its benefits.
About PM-VBRY
The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is one of the flagship Employment-Linked Incentive schemes of the Government of India aimed at promoting formal employment and encouraging workforce expansion.
Under the scheme, eligible first-time employees receive financial assistance equivalent to one month’s wage, up to Rs 15,000. The assistance helps young workers begin their professional journey with financial support while encouraging long-term participation in the formal sector.
Employers, on the other hand, receive incentives for generating additional employment and expanding their workforce. These incentives are provided for a period of two years. The manufacturing sector is eligible for support for an additional two years, encouraging sustainable job creation in labour-intensive industries.
The scheme seeks to create a win-win framework where both employees and employers benefit while strengthening India’s formal employment ecosystem.
Large Participation Across Jammu and Kashmir
The main event was broadcast live across multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir, including Lok Bhavan Srinagar, Convention Centre Jammu, NIFT College SIDCO Industrial Complex Ompora Budgam, and Bari Brahmana Industrial Association Samba.
At the Convention Centre Jammu, the programme witnessed participation from Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, Rajya Sabha Member Sat Sharma, senior government officials, industry representatives, EPFO officers, employers, and beneficiaries.
More than 600 participants attended the event, including around 400 beneficiaries and over 200 employers.
During the programme, employers distributed 20 employment letters to newly recruited workers at the Convention Centre Jammu, while six appointment letters were distributed at the Bari Brahmana Industrial Association in Samba.
Employer representatives thanked the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Labour and Employment for creating a platform that supports industries through direct benefit transfers. They highlighted the positive impact of the scheme on businesses and appealed to eligible establishments to register under PM-VBRY.
Employee representatives also shared their experiences and appreciated the government’s efforts to provide direct financial support to workers entering formal employment.
Among those present at various venues were Labour Commissioner J&K Charandeep Singh, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I Sumeet Singh, senior government officials, industry association representatives, beneficiaries, employers, EPFO officers, and members of the public.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening employment generation, expanding social security coverage, and empowering India’s youth through meaningful and sustainable opportunities. For Jammu and Kashmir, the initiative marks another step towards economic growth, workforce formalization, and inclusive development under the vision of Viksit Bharat.
